Expiration of the Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

According the Real decreto 773/1997, de 30 de mayo, “the Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)is an equipment destined to be carried or hold by the workers to protect them against one or several hazards that may compromise their safety or health, as well as any accessory destined for this purpose ".

In case the activity carried out in the workplace it was necessary to use EPI's, it must be taken into account they have a lifespan based on usage rates, the environment, chemical or biological agent handled, dirt and sweat or how the PPE is stored when not in use. The use of PPE’s will be only effective if they fulfil all technical requirements and if they are used properly.

Although manufacturer provides information on the PEE’s expiry date or service lifetime, checking them before their use is a responsibility of the user. In case the PEE’s were damaged o expired, they must be discarded.

Expiration of the Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)is January’s theme of the "Health & Safety is a matter of all. It starts with you!" campaign initiated by the Inter-institutional Commission on Prevention of Occupational Risks at the PRBB (CIPRL-PRBB).